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Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jaswant Singh on Monday criticized Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's remark that books depicting 'derogatory' cartoon of Dr BR Ambedkar would be not be prescribed as textbooks, saying the latter's statement indicated that attempts were being made to curb one's right to freedom of expression. Stating that the issue is being blown out of proportion, Singh said: "There is a controversy over the publication of an offensive cartoon in books and I think this controversy is insignificant. These cartoons are not new, but are old. These cartoons represent the right of freedom of expression of an individual. The cartoons break the monotony of life and brings smile on the face. I am very sad to hear the remark made by honourable Pranab Mukherjee in the house that the books would be withdrawn. I do not agree with this. If one is denied the right to express in India , then it will turn into a conservative society," he added. Another BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain urged the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to oust Kapil Sibal from his current position. "Kapil Sibal thinks that the whole country is a cartoon. Therefore, the manner in which the leaders are mocked using cartoons, Sibal should take the responsibility. The cartoons are also on Sonia Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Advani. All the lawmakers are against Kapil Sibal on the issue," said Hussain. "In the Parliament, most of the lawmakers are angry with Kapil Sibal. Sonia (Gandhi) will not get any benefit by keeping such a minister. It will be good for the country to remove such a minister as early as possible," he added. The issue of controversial cartoons in textbooks generated heat in the Lok Sabha earlier today with members demanding immediate action in the matter, saying the sketch has hurt sentiments of a section of the society. They demanded that the CBSE textbooks carrying the cartoons should be removed immediately.

Jaswant Singh slams Pranab Mukherjee's remark on Ambedkar cartoon row